This Saturday, Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly opens on the stunning stage of the Ordway Theater in St. Paul. The Ordway’s show has already sold out four of eight performances (the run is April 14-22), but have no fear, TC Jewfolk can squeeze you in the door.
We’re giving away a pair of free tickets to see the famous opera on Friday, April 20th… just read on for details.
First, of course, I must answer the question I know you’re all asking.
Why is TC Jewfolk giving away a free pair of tickets to Madame Butterfly? How is Puccini’s opera Jewish?
Let me explain.
Madame Butterfly is a powerful story of love, loss, class and betrayal. But Puccini didn’t make it all up.
The opera’s libretto was based on a short story from 1898 that was dramatized as the one-act play “Madame Butterfly: A Tragedy of Japan” by David Belasco, an American Jewish theatrical producer, impresario, director and playwright. Belasco was born in San Francisco, and his family was originally from England, but they came to California during the gold rush. Belasco worked his way up from doing odd jobs as a kid in the theater, to stage managing, acting, and writing plays (his first, at the age of 12). In his 30s he moved to New York City. Over the next 30 years he would write, direct, or produce more than 100 Broadway plays including Madame Butterfly (1900). More than 40 films were made from the plays he authored.
Okay, so Madame Butterfly is Jewish… somewhat. But why should I see THIS play?
Because the Minnesota Opera is fabulous.
Because the Opera’s celebrated staging evokes the beauty and romance of Puccini’s gorgeous, unforgettable classic.
Because the opera is sung in Italian, one of the most passionate languages around, with projected English subtitles.
And, oh yeah, and because if you win TC Jewfolk’s pair of tickets, you get free admission to the TEMPO (read: MN Young Professional Operagoers) after-party at Sakura with the cast of the show, immediately following the performance.
So how can you win a pair of free tickets? It’s easy.
Just answer this question in the comments to this post for your chance to win our free pair of tickets:
Why should people under 40 listen to and watch Opera?
The winner will be drawn randomly on Thursday, April 12th at midnight. Please note – the winner’s pair of tickets can only be used for the Friday, April 20th 7:30pm performance.
Good luck! And enjoy the show!
Under forty is the best time. I took an Opera class as an undergrad at Madison and feel in love with it. Start with Butterfly, Carmen and La Boheme.
Opera tells a story of wondrous times and fanciful situations. While Opera is something many ages can enjoy, people under 40 should watch it to learn and appreciate a beautiful art form. And if nothing else, it is in preparation for that time when you are older and people just expect you to go to the Opera :-).
People under 40 should listen to and watch Opera because it is an amazing art form. You will hear singing like you’ve never heard before, performed by people wearing fantastic costumes in wonderfully designed sets.
Leora, if you are an observant Jew, how the hell could you go to a FRIDAY 7:30pm performance?? It makes no sense.
Steve – (1) Not everyone who reads TC Jewfolk is an “observant” Jew, and (2) Some consider theater to be a form of spirituality and connection permitted on Shabbat, and (3) See number 1.
Furthermore, I take issue with the idea that there’s only one way to be an “observant” or – implied – “good” Jew. My kind of Judaism includes going to theater on Friday nights, especially when I can score a pair of free tickets (BTW- don’t worry readers, I can’t win these tix).
The younger you start watching and listening to Opera, the sooner you get exposed to this amazing art form. I also want to put in a plug (I am not an employee of the MN Opera) for the special program the MN Opera offers for youth under the age of 40 called Tempo .
http://mnopera.org/tempo
Why should myself, a person under 40, NOT go to an Opera? I am set on making my young adult years filled with as much culture and new experiences as possible, while I have the full freedom of my pre-family years. I feel so lucky to live in a city that provides me with so much variety in food and entertainment and history. How else will I learn what excites me, what touches me, what inspires me if I don’t try it all!?
I’m in my 20’s and have had season tickets to the MN Opera for years. Why? I’m not a huge opera buff, I’m not even that into classical music. I do, however, love going to the theater and a night on the town. I have amazing seats at the opera for around $16 a ticket (really it is that cheap). I could spend 5 times as much getting tickets to the latest and greatest musical. It is always a great date night, exposure to something different and the MN opera has great plots, costumes and music. You’ll be amazed at the quality of the performances. We are so luck to have the MN Opera in the twin cities. People under 40 should be enjoying opera because it has very affordable price points for an evening of entertainment out.
Why should people go? Because they can.
Because have you heard the rest of the stuff kids under 40 are listening to these days!
Colorful costumes and sensational music are always thrilling.
Listening to a foreign language while reading the projected subtitles is a fantastic learning experience.
Encouraging younger opera attendees will promote this art for future generations.
Because it is a beautiful art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages
Opera presents a heightened sense of emotions.
Both visually and soundwise,most operas are larger than life.
Hannah – You’re the lucky winner! Shoot me an email by 5pm at [email protected] to let me know you can still make the 4/20 show and the tix are yours!